Make or break

Lions keeper David Forde faces potentially two of the biggest games of his life over the next few days as the Republic of Ireland attempt to qualify for the World Cup Finals in Brazil next summer.

The prize at stake is a massive one, and the Irish could take huge strides towards their goal with wins over Sweden in Dublin tonight and Austria in Vienna on Tuesday.

All three countries are locked together on 11 points behind Germany who play Austria at home this evening. Victory for the Austrians in that one would be a major upset, so a win for Giovanni Trapattoni's men in Dublin would almost certainly send them up to second in the group tonight.

Fordey, who is in the starting line-up, said: "These occasions don't come around too often in your career, so when they do you have to enjoy them. There will be a great buzz around the Aviva and we're looking a good side again, so hopefully we can get the win that could put us in the driving seat for that Play-Off spot."